Tips for Getting Through Thanksgiving Day Stress Free!

The Do’s and Don’ts of Your Thanksgiving Feast

When it comes to the holidays a few things are for certain: a lot of people, stress and food. A big part of the Thanksgiving holiday is food, but wouldn’t it be nice to be able to relax and spend your time with family and friends instead of stressing and worrying? We have come up with a few tips to help you get through the holidays with as little stress as possible!

Be mindful of dietary restrictions

It is extremely important to keep in mind the different dietary restrictions your guests might have. Nobody likes to go to a party or event where they can only eat vegetables. There are a variety of restrictions to be mindful of such as veganism, vegetarianism, gluten-free and more! While it might seem hard to accommodate all of these diets, there are some easy options available to reduce your stress.

Keeping the restricted food items away from the regular dishes is an easy way to make sure they don’t get mixed in with the regular food items. Reading the labels on pre-packaged food and noting what the ingredients are will help you keep your restricted items together.

Be cautious about germs!

If Thanksgiving dinner is at your house this year, be mindful of germs! Germs are often not on your mind when you are having fun drinking and eating with family and friends. However, bacteria is growing in food that is left out at room temperature for too long and can quickly become a day ruiner.

Milk based foods like cheese, gravy and dairy are big culprits along with meats. Bacteria even likes to grow in cooked meat when it is left out at room temperature. The easiest way to avoid this from happening is to constantly have your food on chill or heat, depending on what it is. Once dinner is over, put the leftovers in the fridge right away, instead of letting it sit out on the kitchen counter.

Take portions into account

Buying food for a large number of people can get pricey, quickly. Looking for ways where you can save money can be a big stress reducer. Buying certain foods in bulk like ham and turkey can help save money because you can freeze the leftovers for months! You can also try out new recipes once the holiday is over that utilizes some of the same foods and ingredients you have leftover.

Ask for help

Not only is buying and preparing food for the holidays expensive, it can also be extremely overwhelming. Asking for help from your guests can greatly help reduce your stress levels. You can ask guests to bring an item of their own or help out in the kitchen before dinner is ready.

Relax and enjoy

While the holidays can be stressful, it is important to remember what they are really about. It is a great time to spend time with family and friends and enjoy each other’s company. The food is one part of the evening, but not the most important part. If something goes wrong, remember to keep your eye on the big picture and enjoy time with loved ones!